I always fancied a Kawasaki Zephyr when they first came out in the early 1990s, which in turn began when I first saw a Z1, but couldn't afford either of them at the time when the bug had bitten…
Strangely, it was the 550 I thought was the best looking due to its close-pitch cylinder finning as opposed to the 750; the1100 had not been released at that point, so that was my only choice. Fast forward to 2013 and I saw by chance – an 1100 Zephyr for sale on eBay, which piqued my interest again. Also by now I was able to afford one.
So I started looking for an1100, which was now my preferred model.
Yes, it was a case of ‘ biggest is best’, and on balance it’s the better-looking model. Despite scouring every motorcycle media known to man I couldn’t find anything good enough – and not many were out there.
By the end of 2013 I got fed up with the search and forgot all about it, but come 2015 I came across the Japanese 'Sanctuary' website and that did it... Wow! Those bikes look awesome and I knew I had to build a bike along those lines. So the search began again in earnest, until I found a bike very poorly advertised on Gumtree. It just said 'Kawasaki Zephyr 1100' and a land-line number.
As bad as the advert was, this turned up a gem. It was a 1997 registered B1 with wire-spoked wheels, the vendor had owned it from new and it'd only done a genuine 5500 miles! What's more, the price was favourable, too!
The race was on to get the bike – but I had no van, no one to help and no trailer. I sorted a trailer locally, only to find it was overpriced and a deathtrap, as he’d built it himself! I’m stuck, so I pay the dosh and fix it up as best I can ready for the journey to Essex the next day.
A steady drive on one of the hottest days of the year and I’m met with a cooling breeze behind the garage doors when the seller reveals the bike. This maroon Zephyr obviously had been garaged all its life: just some engine lacquer flaking and some heel scuff marks on the frame to fault it, but that was all. I wanted the bike, but rode it anyways to make sure – it rode just as a 5500-mile old bike should. Even with this ‘win’ I even got a small drop in price!
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Tea-time stories!
Pip Higham Tuner, engineer, rider
Sassy with the chassis!
In this very issue you can read about our ride of Allen’s Super Six Zed! Here, he’s getting on with bike number two!
The desired Ducati…
Is it really 30 years since the first Ducati 888? A machine which (formany Ducati aficionados) is better than even the sublime and beautiful 916?
T-REX!
Aussie CMM reader Derek Henderson had adream: an ELR replica, but it was not to be.Instead he picked up a 2001 ZRX1200R, puta turbo on it and made it a T-REX! Bliss!
Soldering on!
Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.
Modern Vintage
Seven years after the launch of Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, we ride two unique project bikes to find out if they go as well as they look: and all at the wonderful Sywell Pistons and Props event!
Six therapy!
Allen Millyard’s latest project extends his engine reconstruction skills further by building a six-cylinder version of Kawasaki’s iconic Z1. John Nutting finds out what it’s like to ride
CUMBRIAN INVADERS
CMM reader Phil Graham offered our Pip the chance to ride his two classic Suzuki two-strokes – here’s what happened (it was a bit damp…)
Retro Spective BMW R80 G/S
The daddy of them all – the BMW R80 G/S is still a big draw…
Honda ST DAX Series
It’s a totally bonkers monkey bike that makes you smile!
Sent Down Under
They were petty Kent criminals, sentenced to transportation to New South Wales, who became ‘Australian royalty’ as part of the ‘First Fleet’
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!
A COHORT of National League clubs have formed a working group and are set to propose Non-League’s top two tiers introduce a salary cap from next season.
PUSSY POWER
Marilyn Minter has been thoughtfully shocking people for 50 years. Here, the legendary artist shares never-before-published work and weighs in on the importance of defining pleasure on one’s own terms
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
'From Frumpy To Chic Scandi'
A soothing colour palette, on-trend pieces of furniture, clever buys and country views make Charlotte’s modern home a relaxing place to be at this time of year